10 Best Xbox Games of 2022

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Key Specs

• Genre: 3rd-person shooter
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Multiplayer Type: PVP, PVE, Co-Op
• Xbox Series X|S Enhanced: Yes

After the lukewarm reception of Gears of War 4, developer The Coalition finally hit its stride with Gears 5 after taking up the reins to a franchise that defined the Xbox 360. Featuring some of the system’s most stunning graphics and a thrilling new story campaign, Gears 5 strikes out in a bold new direction while also feeling familiar to longtime fans. Starring Kait Diaz, a Gear with a mysterious connection to the monstrous Locusts that have always been the iconic foe in the games, players meet up with Marcus Fenix to fight another battle in the constant struggle over the planet Sera.

Gears 5, paired with the Hivebusters DLC expansion, feels like a full package with plenty of modes to explore and items to unlock. Considering the entire Gears franchise is playable on Xbox One and with a newfound potential in what could come next, now is a great time to be a fan of this action-packed series.

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Key Specs

• Genre: Racing
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Multiplayer Type: PVP, Co-Op
• Xbox Series X|S Enhanced: Yes

As one of the top names in racing games, Forza continues to push video game visuals further with the latest entry to its more open-world offering Forza Horizon 5. Set in Mexico, Forza Horizon 5 literally drops players into the action—out of a plane—right from the start. This game has adrenaline-fueled races one minute and then some of the most relaxing digital drives available the next. Even non-racing fans can enjoy time behind the wheel.

While it definitely feels best behind a simulation racing wheel, Forza Horizon 5 is a game that is just fun to play no matter the controller. I personally encourage going for a drive and listening to a full album, an audiobook, or a podcast. In my opinion, this is one of the best ways to unwind on the Xbox. That, and racing is always there should the competitive itch arise.

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Key Specs

• Genre: Survival
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Multiplayer Type: PVP, PVE, Co-Op
• Xbox Series X|S Enhanced: Yes

A lot of Xbox games, especially the multiplayer-focused titles, have improved significantly over time. Sea of Thieves, a make-your-own-fun pirate adventure, puts players into the fantasy of having a crew, sailing toward sun-kissed horizons, dredging up treasure from sunken ships, and fighting off other pirates. There are a few secrets and spectacles to find and lots of fun ways to customize one’s character.

With the right group of friends, Sea of Thieves can lead to legendary nights of gaming. Of course, teamwork is really important when sailing a ship, so expect to fall into a specific role at times—someone has to steer the ship, and they can’t readily fire cannons while doing so. Keeping the crew organized is also necessary when coming across other players, who likely will want to steal hard-earned loot.

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Key Specs

• Genre: Platformer
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Multiplayer Type: None
• Xbox Series X|S Enhanced: Yes

Featuring some of the most incredible music in games, Ori and the Will of the Wisps feels like a playable heartfelt storybook. Tight controls and beautiful visuals are what made both Ori games stand out, but I always felt like Will of the Wisps, the followup to Ori and the Blind Forest, was a stronger title between the two. Taking control of the forest sprite Ori, who is on a quest to restore the forest and avoid the tyrannical beast Shriek, players gracefully leap through various zones finding power-ups and improving their skills. By the end of the game, most players will feel like masters of movement as the game is exceptionally well-paced. Players will also nurture a small village, which was one of the most rewarding aspects during my playthrough.

Will of the Wisps really pushed the envelope for developer Moon Studios and can be played without familiarity of Blind Forest, the first in the series. But if you want to get to know the characters better and maximize the emotional moments, play the original. Regardless of how you play these games, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is one of the strongest titles on the Xbox platform. I desperately hope that Moon Studios is working on another game.

Key Specs

• Genre: 3D platformer/action adventure
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Multiplayer Type: None
• Xbox Series X|S Enhanced: Yes

As one of the last bastions of the once-popular 3D platformer genre, Psychonauts on the original Xbox felt like a novel retro idea at the time, but the humor, characters, and unforgettable environment design pushed it into cult-classic status. For over a decade, gamers have been hoping to see a sequel, and after a long time of showing off sparse footage at industry events, Psychonauts 2 (launched in August 2021) lives up to those hopes. Continuing the story of Razputin “Raz” Aquato as a young psychonaut, the story dives even deeper into the eclectic cast of characters and pushes into topics that games don’t often cover so well. Psychonauts is all about diving into the minds of troubled characters and battling their inner demons. Psychonauts 2 remains just as funny as the first entry while also having fairly mature conversations about mental health. (A deeper dive into how mental health was explored with care can be found in this excellent piece from Blake Hester of Game Informer.)

Somehow, the team at developer Double Fine met the astronomical expectations of most fans and in many ways exceeded them.

Key Specs

• Genre: Open world
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Multiplayer Type: PVP, PVE, Co-Op
• Xbox Series X|S Enhanced: Performance improvements

Westerns are one of the most durable and popular genres of entertainment. There are hundreds of novels and probably just as many shows and movies about revolver-toting bandits trying to rob trains or avoid the law. Red Dead Redemption 2 brings that to video games, putting players in the shoes of one such outlaw, Arthur Morgan, who must survive the dangerous life of a gang member. This is a game of various systems that come together to create a world that feels lived in; almost any moment can lead to new stories. For instance, Morgan can enter a game of poker at a saloon and potentially get a gun drawn on him, which could lead to a town-wide firefight. Or players can also spend hours just exploring the rivers, fishing to their heart’s content.

The main story of the game features all of the hallmarks of a great modern Western with movie-quality acting performances in many spots. Red Dead Redemption 2 is also a huge game, one that’s enjoyed best when there’s enough time to truly take in this carefully crafted world.

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Key Specs

• Genre: Collection
• ESRB Rating: Ranges Everyone to Mature
• Multiplayer Type: PVP, Co-Op
• Xbox Series X|S Enhanced: No

Framed in a whimsical carnival scene, Rare Replay celebrates decades of games released by the legendary studio Rare, known for games like Banjo-Kazooie, Killer Instinct, Perfect Dark, and more. This collection features 30 games, many with modern options that make them more accessible than ever before. Unfortunately, games like 007: Goldeneye and the Donkey Kong Country series of games are absent since those were licensed deals, but there are still plenty of games to enjoy here.

This is a release that’s perfect for those with a nostalgia for retro games. That said, the collection fits a wide age range, and there really is a game for everyone. Younger players should maybe not play Conker’s Bad Fur Day, a crass game similar in tone to The Hangover. I turned out fine, but be warned it’s more than a game about a cute squirrel—and it’s rated mature for a reason.

Available on Xbox Game Pass

Key Specs

• Genre: Co-op shooter
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Multiplayer Type: Co-Op
• Xbox Series X|S Enhanced: No

Sometimes a simple idea executed well is all it takes to make an excellent game. Deep Rock Galactic is a cooperative shooter where players become sci-fi/fantasy dwarves seeking mined resources and blasting bugs of various shapes and sizes. Each class has its own charm and tactical function, and there is a fantastic sense of progression that keeps players downing flagons and pumping insects full of lead. The addictive gameplay is bonded together with hilarious dialogue resulting in just good gaming fun.

Fans of the Alien franchise of films or the Warhammer 40k universe will probably find a lot to love in Deep Rock Galactic, and it’s not hard to see their inspiration here.

Key Specs

• Genre: Run-and-gun
• ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+
• Multiplayer Type: Co-Op
• Xbox Series X|S Enhanced: No

The moment I saw Cuphead in motion was unforgettable. During an E3 presentation, for just a few short moments, cartoon characters featuring the rubber-hose animation style of the 1930s bounced around boss fights that were amazingly animated. From that point on, I jumped at any news of this game. When Cuphead was finally released, it was met with lots of praise (and notoriety due to its difficulty level). Regardless of how tough it is, Cuphead is one of the coolest run-and-gun games on the Xbox platform.

With a level of casino flair and mischief, Cuphead and Mugman must repay their debts to the Devil by gathering the souls of other beings that presumably owe the demon king something. This leads to a trek across a twisted land of strange cartoonish villains that shape and morph into mind-melting monsters. Each fight is full of challenges, but the game does have a level of fairness that is hard to argue with. With enough practice, these fights can be won. Cuphead also features some of the coolest big band jazz found in games—another soundtrack worth owning. An expansion titled The Delicious Last Course is in the works.

Key Specs

• Genre: First-person shooter collection
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Multiplayer Type: PVP, PVE, Co-Op
• Xbox Series X|S Enhanced: Yes

No other franchise defines the Xbox as much as Halo does, and not many games play like it. Thanks to the continued updates, The Master Chief Collection continues to be one of the best gaming experiences on Xbox. Even with the monumental task of releasing Halo: Infinite, developer 343 Studios has been tinkering and fine-tuning The Master Chief Collection. This package includes six Halo titles (excluding Halo 5: Guardians) and the cornucopia of multiplayer content those games offer. Players can even experience Halo and Halo 2 in either original graphics or enhanced with a simple setting change.

Even 20 years later, Halo’s combat design stands out. Enemies react to the player’s actions so well that they feel more engaging to fight. A lot has been said about Halo’s A.I. structure, and many games still struggle with getting it right. Playing through the legacy of Master Chief is still great fun, especially when getting a few friends together for cooperative campaigns, classic multiplayer matches, or the survival-focused Firefight mode. Thanks to crossplay, gamers can play together whether they are on an Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, or even PC.

With the free-to-play model being adapted for Halo: Infinite’s multiplayer, we could see Halo’s popularity soar beyond its peak during the Xbox 360 days, making the Master Chief Collection a great way to reminisce or get acquainted with this legendary franchise. It’s too early to tell if Halo: Infinite’s campaign has the lasting impact of previous entries, but early impressions are strong and the more open-world design fits well. Improvements have certainly been made in how the story is delivered, especially when compared to Halo 5: Guardians.

While Master Chief may be lacking in the personality department, he is one of the most iconic video game characters of all time. Especially considering the sheer number of included titles, this collection is one of the most valuable game purchases on the market. Just about every gamer, Xbox or otherwise, should own a copy.